Elevation gain on the trails is only about 300 feet, and the inclines are gentle. The Polly Geraci Trail winds along the Cordilleras stream bed and meets the paved Hassler Trail on the 650-foot hilltop.

The Blue Oak Trail begins just past the private Redwood Center and climbs through oaks to meet the paved trail at around 450 feet in elevation.

The paved road continues across the grassy hill to the edge of a roadside viewpoint on Interstate 280. Constructing a loop of the Cordilleras, Polly Geraci, Hassler and Blue Oak Trails constitutes about three miles.

New trails include the Dusky-Footed Woodrat Trail and Dick Bishop Trail.

The Preserve also features an easy-access trail and a dog off-leash area.

• Please bag and remove all dog waste.
• Hours: The preserve is open from sunrise to sunset

Directions:

• Exit Interstate 280 at Edgewood Road and turn east, towards San Carlos. At Crestview, turn left, and another quick left turn at Edmonds Rd. You'll see the Cordilleras trailhead just to the right of the entrance to the private Redwood Center on the right hand side of the road. A little further, you'll find a roadside pullout on your left and the Blue Oak trailhead on your right.

South of San Francisco, you and your frisky pup have more velvety-green hills to wander in spring. Pulgas Ridge Open Space Preserve in the hills above San Carlos and Redwood City is one option that really sets tails a-waggin'. Off-leash play is allowed in a 17-acre parcel of this 366-acre San Mateo County preserve that was once the site of a tuberculosis sanitarium. All five miles of trails are dog-friendly, and on clear days you'll get a good view of the Santa Cruz Mountains. more »

Santa Clara County is blessed with tens of thousands of acres of paw-friendly parklands, and this being the Silicon Valley, many online resources are available to help guide you to and through K-9 territory.